The Brownwood ISD (BISD) Board of Trustees met for a regular session meeting on Monday, November 8, 2021, at 6:30 p.m. The session was called to order by Board President Michael Cloy. Union Presbyterian Church Reverend Doug House led the invocation. Northwest Elementary students Kyra Cervantes, Fransisco Chavez, and Luke Moody led the Pledge of Allegiance.
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STUDENT PERFORMANCE
Northwest Elementary Music Teacher Dean Kiesling led students in performing the StarSpangled Banner and a Patriotic Medley. The students who performed were Northwest Elementary Outstanding Music Student Winners, Noah Rojas, Yeseli Sarmiento, Makenzie Bonnell, Aaron Munoz-Martinez, Mason Watson, Skye Smith, Julian Guerrero, Mariana Ruple, Maks Mills, Mayra Garcia, Gabby Evetts, Akira Tobias, Jose Garcia, Jonathan Mejia, Sophia Ongteco, Aiden Alcala, Maribel Lara, and Genesis Tellez.
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INSTRUCTIONAL FOCUS
BISD Deputy Superintendent, Liesa Land, presented the Instructional Focus update. All BISD elementary through high school core subjects currently take curriculum-based assessments. The data is used to make changes as needed individually, in small groups, or in whole groups. Data was reviewed from Algebra 1, looking at student results which fall into Approaches, Meets, or Masters levels (Meets is at grade level, so BISD prefers all students achieve Meets or Masters.) BISD currently has 19 students at Brownwood Middle School (BMS) taking Algebra, 204 Brownwood High School (BHS) freshmen taking Algebra, and 77 freshmen taking Pre-AP Algebra.
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RECOGNITIONS
The following groups and individuals were recognized by BISD and were presented with certificates highlighting their achievements.
National Merit Commended Student, Carson Hill – Senior at BHS
Carson Hill participated in the PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test in October 2021. He was awarded based on his outstanding score placing him in the top 2% of 1.5 million students nationwide. Pictured below are BISD Trustee Codie Smith, BHS Counselor Jessica Morgan, Carson Hill, and BHS Principal Lindsay Smith.
BHS Cross Country District 6-4A Champions & Regional Qualifiers
The BHS Cross Country team was recognized for their achievements as 2021 District 6-4A Champions and Regional Qualifiers. Pictured below are BISD Trustee Codie Smith, Kylea Karnes, Talia Craff, Braycee Lee, Miranda Northcutt, Sydney Windham, Kate Tindol, Emma Stegemoller, BHS Cross Country Coach Chesney Neely, and BHS PE Teacher and Coach Alexis Mosqueda
Woodland Heights Elementary Teachers
Kindergarten and first-grade teachers, along with RTI specialists at Woodland Heights Elementary, were awarded for exemplary service in building foundational reading skills in students, marking a significant measurable increase in student achievement. The following staff members were recognized: Kindergarten teachers Amy Hall, Serena Miller, Adrian Stewart, and Shelbi Chambers, first-grade teachers Stephanie Morton, Susan Bennett, Stephanie Hilburn, Leah Lee, and Jessica Murphy, and RTI Specialist Kelsie Eldred. Honorees are pictured below with BISD Trustee Diane Thompson.
Northwest Elementary Teachers
Northwest Elementary early childhood special education teachers and teaching assistants (TA’s) were awarded for exemplary service in programs for both three and four-year-old children, marking a significant measurable increase in student achievement. The following staff members were recognized: Teacher Susan Mora with TA’s Jessica Ashby and Angel Carbajal, Teacher Amy Younce with TA’s Brook Price and Agnes Dockins, Teacher Kellie Current with TA Mackenzie Jones, and Teacher Jennifer James with TA Demi Henry. Honorees are pictured below with BISD Trustee Tim Jacobs.
BISD Spotlight Teachers and Staff
The Brownwood ISD Spotlight recognizes members of the BISD faculty and staff who go the extra mile to ensure excellence in education for all our students. Spotlight recipients are chosen from peer nominations. November 2021 honorees were Northwest Elementary Pre-K teacher Martha Woods and BMS Life Academics Aide Tammy Cope. Pictured (top) is Ms. Woods along with Northwest Elementary Principal Allison Northcutt and BISD Trustee Tim Jacobs, and (bottom) Ms. Cope along with BMS Principal Sandra Richardson, BMS Special Education Teacher Robert Stevens, and BISD Trustee Tim Jacobs
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AUDIENCE FOR GUESTS
Mrs. Katherine Hirsch and Mr. Karl Hirsch delivered remarks and a prayer on behalf of the Community Impact Team and in support of the Board, the importance of biblical foundations, and getting to know each of the elected Board members.
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SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
The annual BISD Holiday Card Design Contest is underway. Board members were invited to cast their votes for one elementary and one secondary student-designed card that will be used for the district’s Christmas card. Project Neighborhood task force meetings are moving forward, identifying logistical issues, and working through any specific areas of concern as the plan aligning elementary grade levels into neighborhood schools continues to take shape. Dr. Young provided budget and staffing reports and noted that prior to the next Board meeting on December 13, members are invited to bring their family to a meal at 5:30 p.m., which will also showcase several BHS programs. The Culinary Arts Department will be preparing the food, the Floral Design class will arrange the decorations, and the BHS Choir will provide entertainment.
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DISCUSSION & ACTION ITEMS
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
Technology Report: A technology report was provided to the Board that gave an overview of the technology within Brownwood ISD as well as an update on technology projects that are taking place in the district. Dr. Young noted that the Technology Department, led by Mark Stanley, currently provides support for 5321 computing devices in addition to well over 900 other devices. The department continues to offer great service and support for technology throughout the district, including rollouts, upgrades, and maintenance on laptops, Promethean boards, printers, document cameras, network-related equipment, and security technology.
School Safety Report: A list of security measures that have been added at each BISD campus was provided. The list noted technology updates and safety projects, including several new security cameras, door access controls, playground equipment removed due to safety concerns, and district-wide safety meetings and revisions to the Emergency Operations Plan.
Gifted & Talented Report: The Gifted & Talented program provided a report that included the number of students in the program at each grade level and campus. The report also noted additional program resources, new initiatives, and goals for the program. A total of 114 K-6 students and 127 BMS/BHS students are involved in the program. A parent orientation was held on October 18, with around 80 in attendance. It was noted that the annual Gifted and Talented Showcase is scheduled for April 25 and 26, 2022.
Teacher Incentive Allotment Report: The Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) is state funding given to districts for the purpose of teacher performance-based compensation. Through a TIA committee, BISD has provided a plan including a funding breakdown for campuses. Per the guidelines established by TEA, 90% of the allotment must go toward teacher compensation for teachers where the designated teacher works. This is still early in the process, with the initial plan submission to TEA scheduled for April 2022 and the first payments not happening until 2024.
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF CUSTODIAN RECRUITMENT & RETENTION PAY PLAN
In a good faith effort to address the current custodial shortage and in appreciation to our custodians currently on staff, BISD will implement a retention and recruitment stipend plan for the remainder of the 2021-2022 school year. The stipend will start at $1500 for those custodians that have been with BISD 0-2 years and reaches as high as $4000 for 20+ years with the district. BISD Trustee Jacobs made a motion to approve the Custodial Recruitment and Retention Stipends for the 2021-2022 school year as presented. BISD Trustee Diane Thompson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
CONSIDER APPROVAL FOR SUPERINTENDENT TO NEGOTIATE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH CLAYCOMB ASSOCIATES, INC.
BISD has been approached by several citizens requesting improvements be made to select facilities in our district and offering leadership in the process. To help guide the community group’s efforts, professional services including master planning, site analysis, facility condition study, and cost estimates are needed. Claycomb Associates provides these services at no cost to the community. These are considered professional services, so a formal agreement allows Claycomb to work with community leaders and the district. BISD Trustee Codie Smith made a motion to authorize the Superintendent to negotiate a professional services agreement with Claycomb Associates. BISD Trustee Roderick Jones seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
CONSENT AGENDA
The following items were listed for consideration on the Consent Agenda.
- Minutes from October 4, 2021 Regular Board Meeting BISD Trustee Tim Jacobs moved that the Consent Agenda be approved as presented, with BISD Trustee Diane Thompson seconding the motion. The motion was unanimously approved
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
The following announcements were made for upcoming events: • Thanksgiving Break – November 22-26, 2021 • Next Board Meeting – December 13, 2021
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EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board moved into executive session at 7:26 p.m. to discuss personnel matters. They returned to open session at 7:32 p.m. No action was taken on executive session matters.
The meeting adjourned at 7:34 p.m